Ultra-sensitive Non-enzymatic Glucose Sensor Based on Ni/Au Bilayer Nanowire Arrays

An ultra-sensitive non-enzymatic glucose sensor is demonstrated successfully, based on Ni/Au bilayer nanowire arrays (Ni/Au biNWAs). The Ni/Au biNWAs with 200-nm diameter and 16-mu m length were synthesized by using a simple template-assisted electrodeposition method in the pores of anodic alumina membrane (AAO). Each nanowire of the Ni/Au biNWAs is consisted of Ni and Au layers along the direction of length. The electrochemical measurements reveal that the non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on Ni/Au biNWAs exhibits extraordinary electrocatalytic activity for glucose oxidation. Specifically, the device successfully achieves an ultrahigh sensitivity of 5154.84 mu A mM(-1) cm(-2) in the range of 50 mu M-10 mM with R-2 as high as 0.99877 and that of 1750.16 mu A mM(-1) cm(-2) in the range of 10-65 mM with R-2 of 0.989. The developed sensor also demonstrates a low detection limit of 10.69 mu M, a rapid response time of 2.5 s and excellent selectivity to avoid the oxidation of other species existing in human blood. The as-prepared sensor based on Ni/Au biNWAs verifies preferable accuracy and precision for glucose detection in human blood serum with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.67-2.68%, showing great potential for the non-enzymatic detection in physiological glucose levels.

Automated summary

An ultra-sensitive non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on Ni/Au bilayer nanowire arrays (Ni/Au biNWAs) is successfully demonstrated. The sensor exhibits extraordinary electrocatalytic activity for glucose oxidation, achieving ultrahigh sensitivity and excellent selectivity. It shows preferable accuracy and precision for glucose detection in human blood serum.